2019-03-12 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     12 MARCH 2019


1.69 beds. The rate provided by Noosacare was considerably higher as administrative functions
for numerous Noosacare facilities operate from the site thereby increasing the staff parking
required. The proposed rate of 1 car space per 2 beds is supported.
The provision of car parking for residents and visitors associated with the Central Facilities and
ILA building, ILA’s and ILU’s complies with the minimum requirements of the Noosa Plan.
Circulation/Access/Egress/Refuse Collection
The amended plans alter the internal road network and result in the reduction of the amount of
road within the site. The remaining road network is wider than the current approved internal
roads and will facilitate safe access, egress and internal movements for commuter, service and
emergency vehicles.
Staging
The existing approval allows for the development to be delivered in 2 stages. Three stages are
now proposed. The increase from 2 to 3 stages raises no concern however it is recommended
that condition 12 which relates to the vegetation clearing offset program be amended to include a
requirement that the establishment of the vegetation offsets be completed prior to the
commencement of the use of the first stage of the development.
Environmental
Lot 6 (northern parcel) is fully vegetated with regrowth vegetation. It was cleared previously in the
early 1990’s. The site is not a mapped area under the Biodiversity Overlay of the Noosa Plan.
Vegetation is mainly Allocasuarina littoralis, with occasional Banksia, Bloodwood and limited
understorey vegetation. The vegetation assemblage is consistent with regrowth of cleared areas
on inland dune systems. The dominance of Allocasuarina littoralis on the site is characteristic of a
previously disturbed site and the absence of fire in this dune area. The recently submitted
Ecological Management Plan has identified the site as containing significant forage values for the
Glossy Black Cockatoo, a Vulnerable listed species pursuant to the Nature Conservation Act
1992. The Glossy Black Cockatoo has fidelity to specific individual Allocasuarina littoralis,
returning to feed on the same tree daily. Given the short-lived nature of the tree, it is problematic
to design developments to accommodate these pioneer, ruderal trees.
The loss of these forage values and the impact it will have on the local Glossy Black Cockatoo
population cannot be quantified as there is insufficient information regarding the overall
abundance of forage trees within the range of the local Glossy Black Cockatoo population. The
dedication of land previously zoned for development as Nature Refuge and the rehabilitation of
degraded lands has resulted in a net increase in habitat protected in perpetuity within the vicinity.
The footprint of the approved building location has not significantly changed when compared with
the proposed footprint. However design changes in the location of the water quality devices
located in the north eastern corner of the lot will result in the retention of a cluster of active feed
trees. These design changes have increased the number of trees to be retained and available for
Glossy Black Cockatoo.
Lot 9 (southern parcel) is a vegetated lot containing a mix “Of Concern” and “Least Concern”
remnant vegetation over 70% of the lot with the remaining 30% containing cleared areas and
regrowth vegetation. The site contains grass trees, bloodwoods, banksias, wattles and
Allocasuarina littoralis. Minor changes to the approved layout, including internal road networks,
will not materially alter previously approved areas to be cleared. The subsequent Ecological
Management Plan has identified the site as containing significant forage values for the Glossy
Black Cockatoo. There is potential to retain a few trees along the periphery of the lot and
landscaping works can include Glossy Black Cockatoo food trees. However, as is the case with
Lot 6, the dedication of previously development zoned lands as Nature Refuge and the
rehabilitation of degraded lands has resulted in a net increase in habitat protected in perpetuity
within the vicinity.



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